Debiopharm International SA's Partner Yakult Honsha Co, Ltd. Announces Elplat® Approbation in Gastric Cancer in Japan

Lausanne, Switzerland (ots/PRNewswire) - Debiopharm International SA
(Debiopharm), part of Debiopharm Group(TM), a Swiss-based global
biopharmaceutical company, is proud to congratulate its partner
Yakult's commitment in obtaining approval for a supplemental new drug
application for Elplat® in postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in
gastric cancer, expanding the indications for this product (50mg,
100mg and 200mg).

This supplemental new drug application was approved mainly based on
the results of two clinical studies; a Phase III study which was
conducted outside Japan to verify the benefits of the combination
therapy with Elplat® and an anticancer drug, capecitabine (CLASSIC
study), and a Phase II study which was jointly conducted by Yakult
Honsha Co., Ltd. and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in Japan.

Oxaliplatin is the active ingredient of Elplat®, a diaminocyclohexane
(DACH) platin. Developed by Debiopharm, it has dramatically changed
the prognosis of colorectal as well as pancreatic cancers.

"We strongly believe that Elplat® will provide new treatment options
beyond the standard of care in gastric cancer, leading to better
outcomes for the patients", stated Thierry Mauvernay, Co-President &
Delegate of the Board, Debiopharm Group(TM).

Gastric cancer is the most common cancer in Japan and the number of
newly diagnosed gastric cancer patients during 2011 is estimated at
132,033[1]. Debiopharm is the licensor of Elplat® to Yakult for the
development and commercialization in Japan.

About Debiopharm International SA

Debiopharm Group(TM) is a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group
of four companies active in drug development, GMP manufacturing of
proprietary drugs, diagnostics, and investment management. Debiopharm
International SA is focused on the development of prescription drugs
that target unmet medical needs. The company in-licenses and develops
promising drug candidates. The products are commercialized by
pharmaceutical out-licensing partners to give access to the largest
number of patients worldwide.

For more information, please visit http://www.debiopharm.com

We are on Twitter. Follow us @DebiopharmNews at
http://twitter.com/DebiopharmNews

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1. Cancer Registry and Statistics. Cancer Information Service,
National Cancer Center, Japan

Contacts:



Debiopharm International SA Contact

Christelle Tur

Communication Coordinator

[email protected]

Tel: +41-(0)21-321-01-11



Additional Media Contacts

In London

Maitland

Chiara Valsangiacomo

[email protected]

Tel: +44-(0)20-7379-5151



In New York

Russo Partners, LLC

Marissa Goberdhan

Account Executive

[email protected]

Tel: +1-212-845-4253

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